Survey

Q1. Mr. Naoto Kan was reelected as president of the DPJ and will continue as prime minister. What are you thoughts on this outcome? (N=952)

Good

76

Not good

14

Cannot say/Do not know

10

SQ1. [For those who answered “Cannot say/Do not know”] Which of the following is closest to your feelings? (N=95)

Good

46

Not good

20

Cannot say/Do not know

34

[Total (combined) approval rating (N=952)]

Good

81

Not good

16

Cannot say/Do not know

3

SQ2. [For those who answered “Good”] What are the reasons for this? Please choose all that apply from the following answers: (N=768)

Because he has good policies

4

Because he is internationally minded

3

Because he has good leadership

4

Because he is stable

5

Because of his trustworthy character

19

Becauseheis politically clean

16

Did not want Mr. Ozawa to become prime minister

46

The prime minister should not change on a frequent basis

72

Other

11

Cannot say/Do not know

10

SQ3. [For those who answered “Not good”] What are the reasons for this? Please choose all that apply from the following eight answers: (N=152)

Because his policies are bad

35

Because he is not internationally minded

25

Because of his lack of leadership

52

Becauseheis not stable

27

Becausehe is not trustworthy

16

Becauseheis not clean politically

4

Wanted Mr. Ozawa to become prime minister

31

Other

4

Cannot say/Do not know

4

Q2. Do you support or not support the Kan cabinet? (N=952)

Support

66

Do not support

22

Cannot say/Do not know

12

SQ1. [For those who answered “Cannot say/Do not know”] Which of the following is closest to your feelings? (N=115)

Support

45

Do not support

12

Cannot say/Do not know

43

[Total (combined) approval rating (N=952)]

Support

71

Do not support

24

Cannot say/Do not know

5

Q3. Which political party do you currently support? Please choose one. (N=952)

Democratic Party of Japan

38

Liberal Democratic Party

20

New Komeito

4

Your Party

5

Japan Communist Party

2

Social Democratic Party

1

The People’s New Party

0

Sunrise Party of Japan

0

New Renaissance Party

0

The New Party of Japan

0

Other political party

1

Do not favor any political party

24

Cannot say/Do not know

5

SQ1. [For those who answered “Do not support any party” or “Cannot say/Do not know”] If you had to name one, which political party would you favor? (N=279)

Democratic Party of Japan

25

Liberal Democratic Party

10

New Komeito

1

Your Party

8

Japan Communist Party

2

Social Democratic Party

3

The People’s New Party

0

Sunrise Party of Japan

0

New Renaissance Party

0

The New Party of Japan

0

Other political party

0

Do not favor any political party

35

Cannot say/Do not know

15

[Support + Preferred Parties (N=952)

Democratic Party of Japan

46

Liberal Democratic Party

23

New Komeito

4

Your Party

7

Japan Communist Party

3

Social Democratic Party

2

The People’s New Party

0

Sunrise Party of Japan

0

New Renaissance Party

0

The New Party of Japan

0

Other political party

1

Do not favor any political party

10

Cannot say/Do not know

4

Q4. Do you think Prime Minister Kan should appoint, Mr. Ozawa, his opponent in the DPJ presidential elections to an important position within the administration or party? (N=952)

Should appoint

29

Should not appoint

61

Neither

5

Cannot say/Do not know

6

Q5. Prime Minister Kan has expressed his intent to have a non-partisan discussion on raising the consumption tax. Are you for or against an increase in the consumption tax? (N=952)

For

46

Against

44

Neither

8

Cannot say/Do not know

2

Q6. Do you approve or not approve of the administration’s economic policies and their handling of the high-valued yen? (N=952)

Approve

15

Do not approve

70

Neither

6

Cannot say/Do not know

9

Q7. Prime Minister Kan has expressed an interest in the reapportionment of Diet seats in consultation with the other political parties by the end of the year. Do you approve or not approve of this? (N=952)

Approve

77

Do not approve

13

Neither

3

Cannot say/Do not know

8

Q8. In the House of Councillors election held in July, the ruling party suffered a crushing defeat and lost their majority. What measures do you think the ruling party should take in the future? (N=952)

Form a grand coalition with the LDP

15

Form a new coalition with parties such as the New Komeito and Your Party

15

Form coalitions with opposition parties depending on specific policies

52

Other

4

Cannot say/Do not know

14

Q9. In the next House of Representatives election, which party or which candidate’s party will you vote for? (N=952)

Democratic Party of Japan

35

Liberal Democratic Party

23

New Komeito

5

Your Party

12

Japan Communist Party

3

Social Democratic Party

1

The People’s New Party

0

Sunrise Party of Japan

0

New Renaissance Party

1

The New Party of Japan

0

Other political party

0

Undecided

12

Will not vote

0

Cannot say/Do not know

9

Q10. In the future, which politician would you like to see demonstrate greater influence over Japanese politics? Please choose one from the following: (N=952)

Naoto Kan

18

Yukio Edano

2

Katsuya Okada

6

Ichiro Ozawa

6

Yukio Hatoyama

1

Seiji Maehara

17

Sadakazu Tanigaki

2

Shigeru Ishiba

6

Nobuteru Ishihara

7

Yoshimi Watanabe

9

Yoichi Masuzoe

9

Other

3

Cannot say/Do not know

15

Polling Information

F1. Gender (Determined by the polltaker) (N=952)

Male

42

Female

58

Unknown

0

F2. How old are you? (N=952)

20s

5

30s

14

40s

15

50s

17

60s

26

70 years old or older

20

Refused to answer

2

Average Age: 55.8 years

F3. What is your occupation? (N=952)

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries

3

Employee (company or governmental employee, teacher, etc.)

39

Self-owned business, self-employed (including a homemaker)

12

Full-time housewife (without job only)

21

Student

2

Unemployed

22

Refused to answer

2

Disclaimer

The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Asahi Shimbun poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation terms of use (see below).

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